Born in Edo in 1665. His father was the master of a shibai jaya and his brother was the playwright Nakamura Seishichi. He started his career in Edo miyaji shibai, performing under the name of Azuma Tôjirô. He became dôkegata and took the name of Azuma Tôzô I in the 11th lunar month of 1707, performing a yakko role in the kaomise drama "Hachinoki Ôkagami". He changed the writing of his family name in 1710, using one ideogram instead of two. His last kaomise occurred in the 11th lunar month of 1715, when he played the role of Sorori Yogorô at the Ichimuraza in the drama "Banzei Onna Hachinoki". He made his last stage appearance in the same theater in the 2nd lunar month of 1716 and died in Edo the 5th of the 9th lunar month of 1716.

The actor Azuma Tôzô II held this name from the 11th lunar month of 1730 to the 10th lunar month of 1747, then a second time from the 11th lunar month of 1748 to the 10th lunar month of 1756, and finally from the 11th lunar month of 1760 to the 4th lunar month of 1776.

The actor Azuma Tôzô III held this name from the 11th lunar month of 1779 to the 6th lunar month of 1798.

A minor Kamigata actor held the name of Azuma Tôzô from 1790 to 1801.

The actor Nakamura Shikaku held this name from the 11th lunar month of 1810 to the 2nd lunar month of 1830.

The actor Azuma Ichinojô I held this name from 1843 to 1851.

A minor actor performed under the name of Azuma Tôzô at the Harukiza during the 1890. His previous stage name was Ichikawa Emisaburô I and he was most likely a disciple of Ichikawa Ennosuke I.

A koshibai actor, who was born in 1903 and died in October 1930, held the name of Azuma Tôzô.